Dolores was not for listening to any of Albus' arguments. "I find it easier to deal with the problem we're currently faced with, rather than worry about what could potentially happen years from now. Things change all the time, and right now Potter is the biggest problem we face. Your task will be to ensure Potter's part of the tournament, my task will be to make sure he doesn't leave it - not alive anyway."
Cornelius sat back and sipped his coffee. Letting Dolores and Albus decide these things amongst themselves meant that he could deny all responsibility if things went pear shaped - and have two ready-made scapegoats to dump any shit onto too. This was a win-win for the Minister of Magic, now that was a nice way to start his day.
...
Jillian couldn't remember ever being this nervous in her life before. She was waiting to meet these mysterious people who held her, and the entire orphanage's, future in their hands. Life had taught her to be wary of people helping the orphanage, they almost always wanted something in return. When Barchoke led the group into her office, Jillian found she was suddenly even more nervous.
She of coursed recognised Sirius Black at once, his face had been plastered all over magical Britain in the last few years - mostly on wanted posters. Hermione Granger was certainly a face and name that had recently become well known to those living here too. As the girl's parents were introduced, and then the final member of the group, Gillian had half-expected the other teenager to be Harry Potter - but the Longbottom name was also one known and long respected in their society.
She tried to be strong but Jillian's tears started falling as Barchoke laid out this group's plans for the orphanage. No press and no publicity for today's meeting, they even specifically asked her not to mention they were actually in the country. They then proceeded to make every one of Jillian's dreams for the orphanage come true - and that was before the group insisted she and the rest of her volunteers receive a salary too. She was quietly waiting on the hammer to fall when Anita burst into the room.
"So sorry to disturb your meeting, Jillian, but did you know Harry Potter is walking around the building?"
It was left to Hermione to provide an explanation. "Harry so wanted to be involved with this, being an orphan himself, but it was felt better to keep his name officially away from the orphanage. Officially, he's just accompanying his betrothed today - and that's the story we will all be sticking to. Involving Harry would undoubtably raise the orphanage's profile, but there's certainly good and bad sides to that. Harry doesn't want anything he does elsewhere to reflect negatively on the orphanage, that doesn't mean anything I say will not be from the both of us - or that he's not going to be actively helping behind the scenes."
Neville also felt obliged to say something here. He was well aware of the honour being bestowed on him by his inclusion on this board, his Gran had even said she was proud of him, but Neville didn't want to just sit here and make up the numbers. "Harry is along with Luna, who is also my girlfriend."
This had the three Grangers and Sirius grinning, as Neville had asked Luna to be his girlfriend yesterday. Neville was grinning too at the first time he was able to introduce Luna as such. "Her father owns and publishes the Quibbler, which means any publicity the orphanage requires can also be carefully controlled. None of us here are interested in getting our pictures or names in the press but, if the orphanage moving doesn't receive any publicity, people won't know how to contact you at your new address."
Anita was still standing at the door and they began to hear a ruckus building behind her.
After emitting a gasp of fond exasperation, Hermione interrupted - while trying to hide that she knew exactly what her betrothed had just done. "Sorry Neville, but Harry must have mentioned about the children coming to Italy for a holiday. Word will spread like wildfire and I think he's just about to start a riot out there.."
Jillian was embarrassed and started to apologise, letting slip she'd specifically told the children to be on their best behaviour today.
Hermione and Neville actually started chuckling at that. "Don't worry, Harry and Luna will be totally responsible for this. My Harry tends to lead with his heart, leaving the rest of us to play catch-up working out the details of how to make this happen. Did I forget to mention he want's to take the entire orphanage for a holiday? This will give everyone time to get your new building ready for occupying." Smiling, Hermione let a stunned Jillian and Anita into more of their plans.
"We intend to have wizarding tents on the beach for those children old enough to enjoy camping, with the younger ones staying in our house. There will be enough adults there to ensure you get a bit of a break too, and time to meet with the architect Sirius has got working on this project - making sure you get the best use out of the building he's donating."
.....
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